Stephen Cotter, Interim CEO of CIE Tours, making a presentation to Lucai Murphy and Muriel Barry, Ballintubber Abbey.

Two Mayo tourism businesses recognised at CIE Tours awards

CIE Tours, the largest carrier of US visitors to Ireland every year, presented its annual awards to the hoteliers and tourism experiences which achieved approval ratings of over 92% from the 25,000 tourists who travelled to Ireland with the company in 2023.

The awards recognise Ireland’s hospitality ambassadors, the people and businesses throughout the country who put Irish tourism on the global stage through the warmth of welcome and quality of service provided to international visitors.

Two Mayo attractions were awarded at last night’s CIE Tours Awards of Excellence that took place in Dublin.

The Wyatt Hotel, situated in the heart of Westport, received the CIE Tours Excellence Award for the ‘best 3-star hotel’.

Stephen Cotter, Interim CEO CIE Tours, with Barney Clarke and Izabella Nawacka, The Wyatt Hotel, Westport, and Lorcan O’Connor, Group CEO of CIE.

Barney Clarke and the team at the Wyatt Hotel have consistently sought to improve the hotel’s offering to guests and their efforts have been recognized in the positive feedback from CIE Tours guests.

Ballintubber Abbey received a CIE Tours Merit Award for the quality of visitor experience the historical site gives visitors a rich experience into the heritage of the historic abbey..

The CIE Tours Awards of Excellence were presented by Stephen Cotter, Interim CEO of CIE Tours.

Congratulating the Mayo award winners, Mr Cotter said: “Year on year huge effort is made by our partners to improve and enhance their offerings based on the feedback we provide to them from our annual visitor surveys.

"Their dedication and commitment help to maintain Ireland’s reputation as a leading destination for US visitors.

"Each of these businesses make an important contribution to Irish tourism, and to their local communities in terms of jobs and wealth creation.

"We are delighted to present a CIE Tours Excellence Award to the Wyatt Hotel and to present a Merit Award to Ballintubber Abbey."

Mr. Cotter said that CIE Tours now employs over 125 people in Ireland, the US and the UK and bookings in 2024 are ahead of expectations.